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BORIE'S 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



BORIE'S MANUAL 

OF 

RULES OF ORDER 

AND 

DIGEST OF PARLIAMENTARY LAW 

COMPILED AND ARRANGED EXPRESSLY FOR USE IN 

LODGES, ENCAMPMENTS, AND CANTONS 

OF THE 

I.O.O.F. OF PENNSYLVANIA. 

BY 
GEORGE E. BORIE, 

n 

MEMBER OF THE PHILADELPHIA BAR ; PAST GRAND MASTER 

OF THE GRAND LODGE, AND MEMBER OF THE GRAND 

ENCAMPMENT, I. O. O. F. OF PENNSYLVANIA. 

SEP 21 



( 



&< 



PHILADELPHIA : 

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. 

1892. 



CS£JWSHIH' 



\° 



o"* 



%^ 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1892, by 

GEORGE F. BORIE, 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at 
Washington, D. C. 



Dornan, Printer, 
Philadelphia. 



TO 



M. RICHARDS MUCKLE, 

PAST GRAND PATRIARCH, 

REPRESENTATIVE TO THE SOVEREIGN GRAND LODGE 

FROM THE GRAND ENCAMPMENT, AND 

GRAND TREASURER OF THE GRAND LODGE 

I. O. O. F. OF PENNSYLVANIA, 



ItytS H«4 



IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED 

N" APPRECIATION OF HIS LONG AND FAITHFUL SERVICES 

TO THE ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS, 

AND AS A SLIGHT TESTIMONIAL OF THE 

BROTHERLY LOVE AND FRATERNAL REGARD OF 

THE AUTHOR. 



Office of the Grand Master 

of the Grand Lodge I. 0. 0. F. of Pennsylvania, 

Odd Fellows' Hall, 144 X. 6th Street, 

Philadelphia, August 5th, 1892. 

Haying carefully examined the manuscript of the Manual 
of Rules of Order and Digest of Decisions of Deliberative 
Societies and Parliamentary Law, compiled, codified, sys- 
tematically arranged and edited by George F. Borie, Past 
Grand Master of the Grand Lodge I. O. O. F. of Pennsyl- 
vania, expressly for the use of the Officers and Members 
of Odd Fellow and Rebekah Lodges, Encampments, and 
Cantons, it affords me much pleasure to approve of the 
same and commend it to the Order in this jurisdiction. 
This work has been prepared with so much care, study, 
and research as to justify me in saying that its learned 
and experienced author has fully supplied a want felt in 
the Subordinate Lodges ever since the introduction of 
American Odd Fellowship into the State of Pennsylvania. 
Its concise and perspicuous arrangement greatly facilitates 
the finding of authorities applicable to the various ques- 
tions in parliamentary practice liable to arise in the trans- 
action of Lodge business, and the instructions contained 
in the book pertaining to the proper method for conducting 
the affairs of such organizations are of great value to the 
officers as well as the members. 



Wm. A. 


WlTHERUP, 


i 


Grand Master. 


t, 

James B. Nicholson, 




Grand Secretary. 





Office of the Grand Patriarch 

of the Grand Encampment. I. O. 0. F. of Pennsylvania, 

Odd Fellows' Hall, 144 N. 6th Street, 

Philadelphia, August 5th, 1892. 

Having critically examined the advance sheets of the 
Rules of Order and Digest of Decisions of Deliberative 
Societies and Parliamentary Law, compiled and edited by 
George F. Borie, Esquire, a Member of the Philadelphia 
Bar, and Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, and a 
Member of the Grand Encampment I. 0. O. F. of Penn- 
sylvania, and finding it of intrinsic value as an instructor 
in the method of conducting the business, and as a hook 
of reference for authorities in parliamentary law relating 
to the various questions arising in organizations of Odd 
Fellows in Pennsylvania, I take great pleasure in recom- 
mending it to the Officers and Patriarchs of the Encamp- 
ments and Cantons under the jurisdiction of the Grand 
Encampment. This work has been prepared with so much 
care, study and research by its learned and experienced 
author as to warrant the assertion that it fills a want felt 
in the subordinate bodies ever since the Order was first 
introduced into this State. 





F. 


V. Van Artsdalen, 


t- 






Grand Patriarch. 


L, 

James B. 


Nicholson, 








Grand Scribe. 





BOKIE'S MANUAL. 



INTRODUCTION. 

From the time when the Order of Odd 
Fellows was first introduced into Pennsyl- 
vania, and Lodges and Encampments were 
instituted, a pressing want has been felt for 
a concise work on parliamentary law to 
assist the officers and members in transacting 
the current business of those organizations. 
The necessity for such a work has been 
continually increasing, until now, with a 
membership in the Lodges alone amounting 
to more than one hundred thousand, belong- 
ing to over one thousand Lodges, found in 
every city, town and hamlet in this broad 
commonwealth, the compilation of a Manual 
of Rules of Order and Parliamentary Law 
seems to be imperatively demanded. 

Twice in every year untried and inex- 
perienced brothers are elected and installed 



8 Borie's L 0. 0. F. Manual. 

into the office of Noble Grand in the Lodges 
and that of Chief Patriarch in the En- 
campments, and Sisters are elected and 
installed into the office of Noble Grand in 
the Rebekah Lodges, and Chevaliers into 
the office of Commandant in the Cantons 
of Patriarchs Militant semi-annually, or an- 
nually, as the By-laws prescribe. All these 
officers should prepare themselves by careful 
study, or by the close thoughtful reading of 
some standard recognized authority on par- 
liamentary law, so as to be enabled intelli- 
gently, as well as acceptably, to dispose of 
and decide the endless questions continually 
arising. Such precaution would prevent 
considerable contention, economize time and 
save the presiding officers from embarrass- 
ment and, what is more to be dreaded, the 
mortification of having their decisions over- 
ruled by the members or the higher appellate 
bodies upon appeals being taken from their 
rulings. Besides all this, the ability in a 
Noble Grand to decide questions as they 
arise always commands the respect and con- 
fidence of those over whose deliberations he 
presides, while it enables him to transact 



Introduction. 9 



the Lodge business with punctuality and 
dispatch. 

Parliamentary law had its origin at a 
time to which the memory of man runneth 
not to the contrary, and is composed of the 
substance of the rulings and decisions of 
deliberative or legislative bodies, and its 
elementary principles were brought over to 
America from the mother country along 
with the common law. In many particulars 
it has been modified or enlarged to meet the 
growing demands of advancing civilization 
and enlightenment. Every legislative body 
and deliberative society has its own rules, 
intended to govern or regulate its particular 
business and purposes. The rules, therefore, 
which have been laid down by the higher 
authority for the government of Odd Fellows' 
Lodges, Rebekah Lodges, Encampments, 
and Cantons are primarily to be consulted 
in conducting the business in those organiza- 
tions, as this work is only intended to 
supplement those rules by recognized de- 
cisions for construing or interpreting them 
and supplying authorities to settle such 
disputes as may arise in regard to their 



10 Borie's I. 0. 0. F. Manual 

proper application, as well as to decide 
such other questions as the rules of order, 
by reason of their brevity, may not have 
made any provision for. The necessity, 
therefore, for familiarity with the rules of 
order of the subordinate bodies is of the 
very greatest importance. 

The author of this work claims no 
originality for the rules contained herein, 
as his labors have been solely directed to the 
compilation of such authorities as, in his 
judgment, are applicable to the rules of 
order of Lodges, Encampments and Cantons, 
and the laws, usages and regulations of the 
Order of Odd Fellows. In order to escape 
too severe criticism he has studiously 
examined Ziegler's Legislative Manual, 
together with those edited and compiled 
by Jefferson and Cushing. The former, 
which was prepared by its experienced 
author as a Manual of Practice for the 
House of Representatives of Pennsylvania, 
has been adopted by the Grand Lodge for 
its government, and of the subordinate 
Lodges under its jurisdiction so far as the 
same is applicable, except where it is 



Introduction. 11 



otherwise specially provided by the laws, 
usages and rules of order, and the two 
latter were prepared for the use of the 
National Congress. In addition to these re- 
course has been had to Matthias, Warrington, 
Eoberts, Fish, Smith, Shattuck and other 
manuals, for authorities pertaining to the 
transaction of business in eclesiastical bodies, 
men and women organizations, and debating 
societies. In every case, however, where an 
authority could be found, applicable, in the 
opinion of the compiler, in Ziegler's Manual, 
the prescribed authority in this jurisdiction, 
it has been employed in the preparation of 
this work, and will be found herein under 
its proper head in Part III. The other 
authoriities have been consulted and cited 
only where Ziegler's Manual was believed 
to be deficient in rules for the government 
of organizations and societies not strictly 
legislative in their character. 

The rapid strides made in Pennsylvania 
since the year 1848, in elevating woman to 
her natural sphere, or more properly releas- 
ing her from the shackles with which she was 
trammeled in barbaric ages, and placing 



12 Borie'a L 0. 0. F. Manual 

her on an equality with the sterner sex, 
where God designed she should stand, has 
in very recent times caused our mothers, 
wives, sisters, sweethearts and daughters to 
associate with other women in organizing 
societies for religious, charitable and other 
temporal purposes. Unlike the male sex, 
which from boyhood enjoys opportunities 
to join others in societies, woman enters into 
organizations utterly unprepared for the 
new duties devolving upon her, and con- 
sequently, when called upon to preside over 
or take part in the business and delibera- 
tions of such bodies, she very naturally finds 
herself powerless to play well her part in the 
new character she has voluntarily assumed. 
The laws of the Order now impose upon her 
the duty of presiding over the deliberations 
of and transacting the business in Kebekah 
Lodges. To assist her, then, and relieve 
the Daughters of Kebekah as far as possible 
from the embarrassment that they have 
heretofore experienced, has been one of the 
principal objects striven to be accomplished 
by the author in his labors, and for this 
reason he has reduced the rules laid down 



Introduction, 13 



so as to render them concise and perspicuous, 
taking care, however, not to impair their 
force and effect, but simply to condense and 
prune such as were in his judgment so 
prolix as to mislead and mystify one inex- 
perienced in parliamentary law, whether 
male or female. 

After very patiently and studiously con- 
sidering the importance of a Manual of 
Kules for Lodges, Encampments and Can- 
tons, and the necessity for preparing the 
work so that it would supply the want so 
long seriously felt, the author, keeping in 
view the fact that it should not only be a 
compilation of rules, but also that it should 
be a book of ready reference, has divided 
his work into three parts, the first part 
succinctly describing the method of trans- 
acting Lodge business ; the second part being 
devoted to explaining and the grouping of 
questions, showing those that are undebat- 
able or peremptory, dilatory, and privileged ; 
and the third part comprising a digest of 
the rules and authorities, alphabetically 
arranged. The latter is an entirely original 
arrangement, and will greatly facilitate a 



14 Borie's I. 0. 0. F. Manual 

reference to the authorities and rules. The 
words Lodges and Noble Grand where used 
are intended to apply to all subordinate 
bodies and their presiding officers connected 
with the Order of Odd Fellows. 

With these observations the fruits of the 
author's labor are submitted to the Lodges, 
Encampments and Cantons in Pennsylvania. 
Well knowing that they are far from perfect, 
hence open to criticism, he trusts, neverthe- 
less, that impartial judgment will prompt 
an acceptance of the work, because of the 
research, careful study and labor bestowed 
upon it. 



[Note. — Where the words Lodge or Noble Grand are 
employed in this work they are to be understood as 
applying to all subordinate organizations connected with 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the chief, 
principal or presiding officers of the same.] 



PART I. 



METHOD OF CONDUCTING BUSINESS IN 
LODGES OF ODD FELLOWS, KEBEKAH 
LODGES, ENCAMPMENTS AND CAN- 
TONS OF PATRIAKCHS MILITANT. 

Opening of a Lodge. 

Precisely at the time fixed by the By- 
laws, if a quorum be present, the Noble 
Grand must take his station and proceed to 
open the Lodge in the manner laid down 
in the Ritual. £f no quorum be present he 
should, await the time mentioned in the By- 
laws, and then, if a sufficient number of 
members are present, proceed as above. If 
there is not a quorum present at that time 
no meeting can be held, but the Secretary 
must make a record thereof in the minute 



16 Borie's L 0. 0. F. Manual 

book, noting the names of the officers and 
members present. In case of the absence 
of the Noble Grand the Vice Grand will 
officiate, and should neither of these officers 
be present a Past Grand will take the chair. 
If none of these appear in the Lodge no 
meeting can be held, and the Secretary must 
note that fact in the minute book. 

A quorum being present the regular order 
must then be proceeded with as prescribed 
in the Ritual. 

I. Calling of the Eoll and noting the 
names of the officers present. Absentees to 
be dealt with as prescribed by the By-laws. 
Excuses for absence can only be considered 
as new business. Absence for a majority of 
the nights in a term works a forfeiture 
of the honors of the office. Fines may be 
remitted, leave of absence granted, or an 
absentee excused if the By-laws so provide. 

II. Reading of the Minutes. — The 
minutes having been read the Noble Grand 
will say, " You have heard the minutes read ; 
if there are no objections they will stane! 



Conducting Business in Lodges. 17 

approved." If there should be an objection 
the Noble Grand will request the member 
to state his objection, whereupon the objec- 
tion must be stated. The Noble Grand 
then, if he knows of his own knowledge 
that the matter spoken of has been omitted 
from, or erroneously inserted in, the minutes, 
may direct the Secretary to make the correc- 
tion. If, however, any member takes excep- 
tion to his ruling the Noble Grand must 
submit the question of correcting the minutes 
to the Lodge. In the event of such an ex- 
ception to the ruling of the Noble Grand, or 
if that officer does not order the correction 
to be made, the member objecting must arise 
and state wherein the minutes are imperfect 
and move that the Secretary be instructed to 
insert or strike from the record the matter 
under consideration. Upon this motion 
being duly seconded the Noble Grand must 
submit it to the Lodge, saying, " It has been 
moved and seconded/' repeating the language 
of the mover or the substance of it. " Is 
the Lodge ready for the question ?" If no 
member manifests a desire to discuss the 
motion the Noble Grand must arise in his 
2 



18 Borie's L 0. 0. F. Manual 

place and submit the question to the Lodge 
in the following or some similar form : "You 
have heard the question; all those who are 
in favor of the motion will give the * * * * 
* * * * * *. a jj pp g e( j the same * * * *." 

When the Noble Grand rises to put the 
question no one shall speak nor can any 
other motion be made at that time. If any 
member doubts the vote he may call for a 
division, when the Noble Grand will request 
those voting in the affirmative to rise and 
give the ****** * * * *^ an( j rema j n 

standing until counted and then take their 
seats, when those voting in the negative will 
rise and give the same * * * * ? and remain 
standing until counted and then take their 
seats. If a majority votes in favor of the 
motion the Noble Grand will say, " The motion 
is agreed to;" and if a majority votes in the 
negative he will say, " The motion is lost." 
The names of those voting in the affirmative 
and negative, if requested by one- third of 
the members present, shall be entered on the 
minutes. This applies to all motions, but it 
should be discouraged unless the question is 
one of very great importance. The motion 



Conducting Business in Lodges. 19 

to add to or strike out is in the nature of an 
amendment; hence after the adoption of a 
motion to correct the minutes another motion 
is required to adopt the minutes as corrected. 
This motion is subject to all the peremptory 
and dilatory motions and privileged questions 
referred to in parts second and third of this 
work, except the motion to close, which can- 
not be entertained until after the regular 
business laid down in the Ritual has been 
disposed of down to and including action 
upon the Relief Committee's Report; nor 
can the motion to close be entertained while 
the previous or main question is pending. 

When a motion is properly before the 
Lodge, any member, obtaining the floor and 
being recognized by the Noble Grand, may 
move the previous question, which, if seconded 
by five other members, must then be put, 
the Noble Grand saying: "Shall the main 
question be now put ? All in favor will give 
t h e ****** ****. ^hose pp 0Se( j the 

same * * * '-*." No debate is to b.e allowed 
upon this motion, and if a majority votes in 
favor of it, then the Noble Grand shall an- 
nounce that the motion is agreed to. This 



20 Borie's L 0. 0. F. Manual 

precludes further amendment, and the vote 
must be at once taken on the main question ; 
first on the amendments, if any are pending, 
in their regular order, and finally on the 
original motion as amended. 

If a motion is made, before moving the 
previous question, to lay on the table an 
amendment, or the whole subject before the 
Lodge, a vote must be taken on the motion 
without debate. Laying an amendment on 
the table does not affect the original propo- 
sition. If, however, motions are made to 
postpone indefinitely ; to a day certain ; to 
divide ; to commit ; to amend or reconsider, 
debate is permissible, except where a motion 
to reconsider refers to an undebatable ques- 
tion, for this must be decided without debate. 

These observations apply to all motions or 
business that may come before the Lodge of 
a parliamentary character. 

Elections for Officers. 

In all elections for officers of the Lodge 
the Noble Grand must appoint two tellers, 
that officer acting as judge to decide any 



Conducting Business in Lodges. 21 

questions that may arise. The tellers should 
be seated at a table immediately in front of 
the station of the Noble Grand. The Noble 
Grand will then announce that the polls are 
open for the election of (naming the officer to 
be balloted for). The Noble Grand will de- 
posit his vote, followed by the other officers of 
the Lodge, after which the members will, in 
regular order, cast their votes. After all 
have voted the Noble Grand will declare 
the ballot closed, whereupon the tellers will 
proceed to count the votes ; one of them 
opening and examining the ballots separ- 
ately and handing them to the other, who 
will read them aloud, so that a tally may be 
made of the votes cast. No vote cast for a 
candidate not regularly nominated can be 
counted, and where two or more tickets are 
folded together and cast for the same officer 
they must be thrown out. A majority of 
all the votes cast is necessary to elect, and 
where no candidate receives a majority of 
all the votes cast the Noble Grand shall 
order another ballot in the manner pre- 
scribed by the By-laws of the Lodge, and 
so on until one of the candidates receives a 



22 Borie's L 0. 0. F. Manual. 

majority of all the votes cast. A candidate 
having received a majority of the votes cast 
the Noble Grand shall thereupon declare 
the member duly elected, and, if there are 
other officers to be elected, announce that 
the polls are open to receive votes fur the 
next highest office to be filled ; and so on 
until all are elected. 

Contests must be conducted in the manner 
prescribed by the laws of the Order. (See 
Pennsylvania Digest?) 

Balloting for Candidates. 

Balloting for candidates for membership 
upon card, reinstatement, or for initiation 
must be ordered by the Noble Grand imme- 
diately after the report of the Investigating 
Committee is read, whether favorable or 
not (except where a motion is made and 
adopted to re-commit the report to the 
committee for further investigation). No 
motion to proceed to a ballot is required. 
A proposition for membership may be with- 
drawn at any stage before the report of the 
committee is read without permission of the 
Lodge, but not afterwards. 



Conducting Business in Lodges. 23 



No debate is permissible in the Lodge in 
regard to the character and fitness of a 
candidate. This is an excellent rule, and 
should be strictly observed, as it is so well 
calculated to prevent personal enmities, and 
which, in spite of the secrecy enjoined, is 
liable to cause mischief- making by indiscreet 
talebearers. 

The report of the Investigating Commit- 
tee being regularly before the Lodge, the 
Noble Grand will then direct the Warden 
to prepare for the ballot, and announce to 
the Lodge that the ballot-box will be placed 
upon the pedestal for the election or rejec- 
tion of , an applicant for 

membership on card, or for the reinstate- 
ment of , suspended for non- 
payment of dues, or for Mr. , 

an applicant for initiation and membership, 
the white balls elect and the black balls 
reject. The Warden will then proceed with 
the ballot-box to the Vice Grand, who will 
examine it and see that all the balls are in the 
proper compartment, after which the War- 
den will carry the box to the Noble Grand, 
who will also examine it and deposit his 



24 Borie's I. 0. 0. F. Manual. 

ballot, then the Warden will place it on the 
pedestal, and the Noble Grand will request 
the members to step forward and vote, which 
they must do in a regular and orderly man- 
ner. All the members having voted (all 
should vote when a ballot is taken), then 
the Noble Grand will declare the ballot 
closed, and again request the Warden to 
proceed with the ballot-box to the Vice 
Grand, who will examine the same, and if 
all the ballots are white, or only one black 
ball deposited, he will simply say, " Noble 
Grand, the ballot is favorable" If, however, 
in case of an application for membership on 
card there shall appear three black balls, or 
for reinstatement a majority of black balls 
have been cast, or for initiation and mem- 
bership two or more black balls have been 
deposited, the Vice Grand will announce 
(without specifying the number of adverse 
votes), the ballot is unfavorable. The War- 
den will then re-convey the box to the 
Noble Grand, who will examine it, and if 
he finds the ballot to agree with the an- 
nouncement made by the Vice Grand, he 
will say, if the applicant is elected, " I con- 



Conducting Business in Lodges. 25 

firm the report of the Vice Grand, and 

declare Brother duly elected 

to membership, or Brother 

duly reinstated to membership, or Mr. 



duly elected for initiation and mem- 
bership in this Lodge." If, however, the 
applicant does not receive a sufficient num- 
ber of ballots to elect, he will say, " I con- 
firm the report of the Vice Grand, and 
declare (Jiere state the nature of the applica- 
tion) rejected." No discussion is to be 
allowed upon the declaration of a ballot, for 
the Noble Grand and the Vice Grand are 
the judges, and their decisions are final. In 
case of the rejection of a candidate, if all 
who voted in the negative desire a recon- 
sideration of the ballot, such shall be ordered 
at any time within four weeks, provided all 
of those who deposited the black balls join 
a motion therefor. Should a re- ballot be 
ordered, one black ball is sufficient to reject 
the candidate. 

It is proper to observe that where the 
laws and usages prescribe a different method 
of balloting for candidates in the subordinate 
bodies, other than Lodges, that the above 



26 Borie's I. 0. 0. F. Manual 



instructions do not apply, as the author 
deemed it sufficient, for the purposes of this 
work, to confine his remarks to the election 
or rejection of applicants in the most exten- 
sive branch of the Order. 

All other business is to be transacted in 
accordance with the Kitual down to the 
closing of the Lodge. This may be ordered 
by the Noble Grand when all the business 
has been disposed of, or upon motion by a 
member, duly seconded. It must be borne 
in mind that in a Lodge a motion to adjourn 
is not in order, because no adjournment can 
be had, for when a Lodge concludes its 
exercises it must close. 



PART II. 



CLASSIFICATION OF QUESTIONS. 

In this part it is proposed to codify or 
group the principal questions liable to arise 
in transacting the ordinary business of an 
Odd Fellows' or a Rebekah Lodge, an En- 
campment or a Canton, and succinctly ex- 
plain their objects and purposes, in order 
that they may be more readily understood 
by those having only a limited knowledge 
of parliamentary law and practice. The 
operation of these questions, so far as they 
temporarily affect or finally dispose of the 
motions or subject-matter under considera- 
tion, more fully appears under appropriate 
headings alphabetically arranged in Part III. 
of this work. 

For this purpose the compiler has divided 
them into three classes : first, Peremptory or 



28 Borie's I. 0. 0. F. Manual 

undebatable; second, Dilatory; and third, 
Privileged questions. It is proper to observe, 
however, that in making this classification it 
was found necessary to include some of the 
same questions in more than one class. The 
reason for doing so is that such questions 
are available for the purposes treated of in 
the different classes in which they are clus- 
tered, and, besides, the brevity of this work 
precludes a more extended consideration of 
them. 

I. — Peremptory or Undebatable Questions. 

These are used for the purpose of prevent- 
ing tedious discussion ; to close the Lodge ; 
facilitate the consideration of motions and 
the reading of papers ; decision of points of 
Order ; withdrawal of motions ; changing 
the order of business; temporarily post- 
poning and resuming the consideration of 
motions, and finally disposing of the same ; 
reconsideration of motions ; restricting de- 
bate and permitting a resumption of argu- 
ment. The term Peremptory is applied to 
this class of questions because of its signifi- 
cance in impressing upon the minds of novices 



Classification of Questions. 29 

a knowledge of the fact that all such ques- 
tions must be acted upon peremptorily and 
without any discussion or argument. Par- 
liamentary usage and experience has wisely 
provided this expeditious method for dispos- 
ing of this class of questions ; otherwise an 
experienced tactician or a factious minority 
would be enabled to defeat any measure 
under consideration, by exhausting the 
patience of the majority with interminable 
debate. These questions, so far as they apply 
to Lodge business, are 

The Previous or Main Question, 

Motion to Close the Lodge, 

Objections to Reading of Papers, 

Points of Order until Appeal made, 

Withdrawal of Motions, 

Changing the Order of Business, 

To Lay on the Table, 

To Take from the Table, 

Limit Debate, 

Resume Debate, 

Reconsider Undebatable Motions. 

A member cannot raise any of these ques- 
tions, except Points of Order, while another 



30 Borie's L 0. 0. F. Manual. 

is addressing the Lodge. In fact parliamen- 
tary usage precludes the making of any 
motion or raising any question, except a 
Point of Order, until the floor has first been 
obtained for that purpose. The floor is ob- 
tained, first, by rising and being recognized 
by the Noble Grand when no other member 
is speaking ; or, second, by the speaker 
yielding the floor to another member for 
the purpose of making a motion. 

All other questions and motions are de- 
batable. 

II. — Dilatory Motions. 

Strictly speaking, all motions and questions, 
except the original motion, in parliamentary 
law may properly be classed as Dilatory, 
because they can all be used by the minority 
for the purpose of delaying final action upon 
the subject-matter under consideration. The 
rules governing all subordinate bodies in 
this jurisdiction, however, for the saving of 
time and establishing uniformity, limit these 
motions, when a question is before the Lodge, 
to the following : 



Classification of Questions. 31 

The Previous Question, 

Lay on the Table, 

Postpone Indefinitely, 

Postpone for a Certain Time, 

Divide, 

Commit, 

Amend. 

These motions are termed Dilatory, be- 
cause, if resorted to by a minority for the 
purpose of harassing the majority, or for 
deferring final action upon a question under 
consideration, a great deal of time may be 
taken up in arguing those that are debatable, 
and in voting to reject them. However, when 
these motions are proposed in good faith, and 
with an honest intent, they are invaluable as 
being subsidiary to the original question ; 
the last three making it more perfect and 
causing its final disposition to accord with 
the views of the members of the Lodge. 

III. — Privileged Questions. 

It is a general rule that the motion first 
made and seconded shall be submitted first, 



32 Borie's I. 0. 0. F. Manual. 

but this rule, however, gives way to what 
are called Privileged Questions. The 
general usage in parliamentary bodies on 
this subject is, that no business regularly 
before the house shall give way to, or be in- 
terrupted, except for the consideration and 
disposition of certain motions designated as 
privileged questions in the authorities. The 
rules adopted for the transaction o^ business 
in Lodges reduce the number of privileged 
questions and confine them to the same ques- 
tions as are clustered under the head of 
Dilatory Motions in this work. In order, 
however, that the reader may more clearly 
understand what are privileged questions it is 
deemed proper to recapitulate them in this 
classification. They are 

The Previous Question, 

Lay on the Table, 

Postpone Indefinitely, 

Postpone for a Certain Time, 

Divide, 

Commit, 

Amend. 



Classification of Questions. 33 

The Lodge rule, above referred to, prescribes 
that these motions shall have precedence in 
their regular order. Therefore, when a mo- 
tion or question is regularly before a Lodge, 
and has been stated by the Noble Grand, 
any member is privileged after having ob- 
tained the floor, to call for the previous, or 
main, question, and if his call is seconded by 
five others, that officer must announce that 
the main question has been called for, and 
say, " Shall the main question be now put ? 
Those who are in favor will give the * * * * * * 
* * * * — those opposed the same * * * *." 
(No further debate or motion is permissible 
until the vote is taken.) If a majority votes 
in favor of the motion the Noble Grand must 
declare it agreed to, and immediately state 
the original motion or its modification, if it 
has been amended, or pending amendment, 
or any other subsidiary question pending, 
and then, after these questions have been 
disposed of, he must finally direct a vote to be 
taken on the main question, or the same as 
modified, if any of the subsidiary amend- 
ments have been agreed to. If, however, 
either of the other subsidiary questions, to 
3 



34 Borie'a I. 0. 0. F. Manual 

wit : postponement or commitment, has been 
agreed to by a majority of the members pre- 
sent, the main question goes over, and the 
next business in order must be proceeded 
with. The main question can be called for 
at any stage after the original motion has 
been submitted to the Lodge. 

The object of a call for the main question 
is to expedite a disposition of such subsidi- 
ary questions or original motions as, in the 
opinion of the majority, may have been suf- 
ficiently discussed or which may be deemed 
as useless or inexpedient. If it is desired at 
any time before the main question has been 
called, to expeditiously lay it aside, it is usual 
to move to lay the question on the table. If 
this motion is agreed to, and it must be 
decided without debate, the subject-matter 
passes from the consideration of the Lodge, 
and must remain dormant until a motion 
prevails to take it from the table, which mo- 
tion is likewise undebatable, when its consid- 
eration will be resumed at the point where 
it was interrupted. This motion, under such 
circumstances, is more frequently employed 
than any other because it must be peremp- 



Classification of Questions. 35 

torily acted upon, and, besides, when the 
majority desire to effectually suppress the 
consideration of a proposition it is customary 
for one who voted in the affirmative to lay 
it on the table, to move a reconsideration of 
the vote, and then for another to move to 
lay that motion on the table, which, if agreed 
to, finally defeats the proposition. 

A motion to indefinitely postpone, if it 
prevails, has the same effect as a motion to 
lay on the table, but, as it is debatable, the 
latter is to be preferred, as it saves time and 
dispenses with unnecessary argument. 

The motion to indefinitely postpone, as it 
is debatable, gives a member an additional 
opportunity to discuss the main question, 
where the rules otherwise preclude him from 
speaking more than once; because in arguing 
this motion the merits of the main question 
are allowed to be discussed. 

When it is deemed advisable to more fully 
reflect upon and consider the merits of a 
pending proposition, or when it is regarded 
as desirable to take up and act upon a more 
important question, demanding immediate 
action, the usual privileged motions are to 



36 Borie's L 0. 0. F. Manual. 

postpone for the present, or to postpone to a 
day certain, which means a subseauent meet- 
ing of the Lodge. 

The motion to divide is another privileged 
question which may be made and acted upon 
whenever the pending proposition relates to 
two or more separate and distinct subjects. 

Whenever a proposition is regarded with 
favor, but is considered to be defective in 
details, it may be referred or re-committed 
to a committee with or without instructions. 
If, however, the defects can be remedied by 
an amendment, the better plan is to make 
such a motion. 

If it is considered advisable to add to or 
strike out any matter or thing in an original 
motion it is proper to move an amendment 
to that effect. Likewise may an amendment 
be amended, but an amendment to an amend- 
ment to amend cannot be entertained or acted 
upon. Wherever an amendment to an 
amendment is made the question must be 
first taken on the amendment to the amend- 
ment to amend ; afterwards on the amend- 
ment, and then on the original question. 



PART III. 



DIGEST OF THE KULES OF ORDER; PAR- 
LIAMENTARY LAW, AND OTHER 
AUTHORITIES, ALPHABETICALLY AR- 
RANGED. 

Absence. — All officers desiring to be ab- 
sent for a specified time should ask leave, 
which can only be granted upon motion duly 
seconded. Where leave of absence is not 
so obtained the absentee may be excused 
upon motion duly seconded, or be dealt with 
as the By-laws prescribe. 

Leave of absence obtained only relieves 
the officer from fines ; hence, if he is absent 
for a majority of the meetings in a term he 
loses ■ or forfeits the honors of the office, ex- 
cept in case of sickness. 

Adjournments. — A Lodge cannot adjourn, 
but after the regular business has been trans- 
acted down to final action on the Relief 



38 Bories I. 0. 0. F. Manual 

Committee's report, a motion to close may- 
be entertained (unless a vote under the pre- 
vious question is pending) and, if agreed to, 
the Lodge shall be closed in due form, as laid 
down in the Ritual. No debate is permis- 
sible on a motion to close. 

Amendments can only be made on motion, 
and they may be withdrawn and modified 
by the mover before they have been sub- 
mitted by the Noble Grand, or afterwards, 
upon leave being had, to meet the wishes of 
the Lodge, and if withdrawn they may be 
renewed by another member or the original 
mover. 

If an amendment is rejected it cannot in 
the same form be moved again, and if adopted 
it cannot be altered or amended. No subject 
different from that in the original can be 
admitted as an amendment. 

If an amendment is offered to leave out 
certain words, and rejected, it cannot be 
again moved to leave out 'the same words, or 
part of them, but if it proposes to leave out 
the same with other words it is in order to 
act upon the motion. If an amendment to 



Digest of the Rules of Order. 39 

leave out certain words is adopted, those 
words or part of them cannot be moved to 
be inserted again in the same place, though 
they, or part of them, may be moved to be 
inserted in another place, or the same words 
or part of them with other words, in the same 
place. 

When an amendment is adopted to insert 
certain words, those words, or part of them, 
cannot be stricken out unless other words are 
included in the motion. If the amendment 
is rejected the same words cannot be re- 
inserted in the same, unless they or part of 
them are joined with other words, but they, 
or part of them, may be inserted in another 
place. When such motions are made the 
Noble Grand must state the question, and 
the Secretary must then read the whole sec- 
tion, paragraph, or resolution, as it stands ; 
then the words proposed to be struck out and 
inserted, and then read the whole as it will 
stand amended. 

If a motion is to be transposed the question 
must be put on striking out the portion where 
it stands and to place it where desired. 

When an amendment is proposed to insert, 



40 Borne 9 a I. 0. 0. F. Manual 

or add certain words, it may be amended in 
three different ways, namely, by leaving out 
a part, or by inserting, or by leaving out and 
inserting. 

An amendment may be made to strike out 
all after the word "resolved,'' and insert new 
words, so long as they relate to the same 
subject. 

When a motion is made to amend an 
amendment the question must be taken first, 
on the motion to amend the amendment, and, 
if agreed to, then on the amendment as 
amended, and then on the original resolution 
as amended. A motion to lay an amendment 
on the table does not carry with it the original 
motion or resolution it proposes to amend. 
All amendments to written resolutions must 
be in writing. 

Amendments to the By-laws can only 
be made in the manner prescribed by the 
Constitution and By-laws of Subordinate 
Lodges. 

Appeals. — All appeals from the decision 
of the Noble Grand upon questions of order 
may be made by any three members, after 



Digest of the Rules of Order. 41 

which the Vice Grand shall put the question 
in this form : " Shall the decision of the 
Noble Grand stand as the judgment of this 
Lodge ?" upon which no member shall speak 
more than once; the Noble Grand having 
the right to open the debate. If, however, 
the Noble Grand is asked for a decision on a 
point of order which he may deem to be 
important, and has doubts as to how it should 
be decided, the proper course for him to 
pursue is to submit it to the Lodge for deci- 
sion ; for by so doing he can save himself 
from deciding a question without due consid- 
eration. But this should not be done too 
often, because the members may lose confi- 
dence in his ability to decide questions sub- 
mitted to him. 

When, during the consideration of a point 
of order on an appeal, a question of order is 
raised the Vice Grand's decision upon it 
must be submitted to without an appeal, 
because appeals cannot be piled one upon 
another any more than there can be division 
upon division. The previous question may 
be called for on an appeal, and it may be 
divided, if divisible, or withdrawn, by leave 



42 Borie's I. 0. 0. F. Manual 

of the Lodge, and renewed by others. It 
may be debated, and the decision had thereon 
may be reconsidered. If the Lodge closes 
during the pendency of an appeal it is not 
thereby suppressed, but will come up as un- 
finished business at the next Lodge meeting. 
On a question of order raised for the deci- 
sion of the Noble Grand there can be no 
debate, unless an appeal is taken to the 
Lodge, or the Noble Grand submits the 
question to the Lodge for decision, arrd, 
when under consideration by the Lodge, 
no member can speak more than once 
without leave of the Lodge. After the 
Noble Grand has, on an appeal, addressed 
the Lodge those who have taken the ap- 
peal shall follow him, to be followed by 
others who desire to participate in the dis- 
cussion, the Noble Grand having the right 
to conclude. An appeal, if the motion for 
that purpose is not first withdrawn, may be 
tabled, and, if ordered to lie on the table, the 
subject which gave rise to it proceeds as 
before. 

Ballot. — In all cases where a ball ballot is 



Digest of the Rules of Order. 43 

provided for, the white balls stand for the 
affirmative and the black balls for the nega- 
tive vote. See Voting. 

Blanks. — When a proposition is submitted 
in which blanks are left to be filled by the 
Lodge and members submit a different sum, 
number, or day they desire inserted, the 
Noble Grand must announce them in the 
order in which they are made and direct the 
Secretary to note the several propositions 
mentioned. A vote must be then taken, 
first upon the largest sum, greatest number, 
or remotest day and continued until a sum, 
number or day mentioned is agreed upon. 

If the blank is to be filled by any other 
proposition it must be regarded as an amend- 
ment, and be governed by such rules. 

Business of the Lodge shall be transacted 
in the order prescribed in the Ritual. This 
order may be changed by the Noble Grand 
or by a vote of the Lodge. All business 
unfinished at the close of the Lodge must be 
resumed in its regular order at the next 
meeting, or such meeting as it may have 



44 Borie's I. 0. 0. F. Manual 

been postponed to, and so on until it shall 
be finally disposed of. 

Close. — A motion to close the Lodge is 
always in order after the regular business 
has been transacted, unless a vote under the 
previous question is pending, and it must be 
decided without debate. See Adjournments. 

Commitment. — A motion to commit (which 
means refer to a committee) has the effect 
to refer the business under consideration 
to a committee ; and this may be either 
for an examination into the merits of it, or 
to put into form, or for amendment. This 
motion cannot be entertained while a motion 
to postpone the subject is pending, and when 
a motion to commit is before the Lodge a 
motion to amend, or act on the original pro- 
position, cannot be considered. If the subject 
had been once before a committee, and it is 
sought again to refer it to the same com- 
mittee, the motion is then to re-commit, and 
that motion may be accompanied by such 
instructions as the Lodge may deem proper 
at the time. 

Committees shall be appointed as the 



Digest of the Rules of Order. 45 

By-laws prescribe, but where no such provi- 
sion has been made the Noble Grand appoints, 
except in such cases as shall be otherwise 
provided in the resolution or motion author- 
izing their appointment. 

The first named shall be the chairman 
until the committee meets for organization, 
w T hen, if desired, another may be selected to 
serve in that capacity. A member may ex- 
cuse himself from serving on a committee, 
if, at the time of his appointment, he is a 
member of two committees, or he may be, 
on motion duly seconded, excused by the 
Lodge. 

In appointing committees care should be 
taken to name those who are known, or who 
are supposed, to be best able to dispose of 
the business referred to them as such. 

Where a committee cannot agree to report 
unanimously upon the matter referred to 
them they may submit a majority and a mi- 
nority report. The majority report should 
be read first ; the minority report may, by a 
vote of the Lodge, be substituted for it, and 
if afterwards it is adopted, it becomes the 
judgment of the Lodge. 



46 Borie's L 0. 0. F. Manual 

If the Lodge is not satisfied with the report 
of a committee, it has the right to re-commit 
the report for further consideration, on mo- 
tion duly seconded, or it may refer the subject- 
matter to a new committee to be appointed for 
that purpose. In appointing committees care 
should be taken to have them composed of 
odd numbers. 

No committee can be finally discharged 
until all debts contracted by it are paid. All 
debts so contracted should be first authorized 
by the Lodge in the resolution or motion 
providing for the appointment of committees. 

All committees may appoint from their 
own number a Secretary and Treasurer when 
deemed proper. The chairman should notify 
the other members of the committee of the 
time and place of the first meeting, afterward 
notice to be given as the committee may de- 
cide, at which each member should attend. 

All reports of committees should be made 
in writing and be signed by those who were 
present when they were adopted. 

Communications, except such as relate to 
business to be considered in its regular order, 



Digest of the Rales of Order. 47 

should be read and disposed of under the 
head of new business. 

Debate. — No motion shall be subject to 
debate until it shall have been seconded and 
stated by the Noble Grand, and, if desired, 
it shall be reduced to writing at the request 
of any two members. 

No member shall speak more than once 
on the same subject or motion until all who 
desire it shall have had an opportunity of 
being heard, nor more than twice, without 
permission from the Chair. While speak- 
ing each member shall designate the person 
spoken of by his proper rank or title. 

No member shall be interrupted while 
speaking, except it be to call him to order, 
when he shall take his seat until the question 
of order is determined, when, if permitted, 
he may proceed with his remarks. 

If two or more members rise to speak at 
the same time the Noble Grand shall decide 
who is entitled to the floor. 

Personalities must not be permitted. 

The reporter of a proposition from a 
committee, the mover of a motion, the 



48 Bortis I. 0. 0. F. Manual 

member who had the floor when the debate 
was adjourned or when the Lodge was 
ordered to be closed pending the debate, or 
a member first rising to address the Lodge 
are severally entitled to be heard in pre- 
ference to others. 

No member is permitted to speak unless 
it be to a question pending before the Lodge, 
or for the purpose of introducing a question, 
unless it may be when " the good of the 
Order " is under consideration. Irrelevancy 
in debate ought not to be permitted, as the 
time of the Lodge should not be consumed 
by introducing matters in debate which have 
no connection with the subjects under dis- 
cussion, for the reason that it will lead to 
confusion, and unpleasant consequences are 
liable to follow. 

In introducing a motion a member may 
briefly explain his object, but he cannot 
argue it until it has been regularly sub- 
mitted to the Lodge by the Noble Grand. 

In its strictest sense debate applies only 
to what is said on the one side or the other 
of a question which the Lodge is to decide 
by a vote. 



Digest of the Rules of Order. 49 

No debate is to be permitted on the follow- 
ing motions : 

The Previous or Main Question, 

To Close the Lodge, 

Reading of Papers when Objected to, 

Questions of Order, 

Withdrawal of Motions, 

Changing the Order of Business, 

To Lay on the Table, 

To Take from the Table, 

To Limit Debate, 

Leave to Resume Debate by a Member 
who was interrupted by a Question of 
Order, 

Reconsider an Undebatable Question. 

Decisions. — The Noble Grand shall pro- 
nounce the decision of the Lodge on all 
subjects. He shall decide questions of 
order. without debate, subject to an appeal 
to the Lodge by any three members, on 
which appeal no member shall speak more 
than once. See Appeals. 

If exception be taken to a member speak- 
ing, proceeding with his speech, to language 

4 



50 Borie's L 0. 0. F. Manual. 

used by him in debate, or to the attempt by 
him to force upon the Lodge business not 
regularly before it, the member taking the 
exception rises in his place and says: 
" Noble Grand, I call the member to order," 
when that officer, if he has a doubt as to 
whether the member is in order or not, 
says: "Will the member please state his 
point of order?" It is then the duty of 
the member to state wherein the member 
called to order has trangressed the rules of 
the Lodge, whereupon the Noble Grand 
decides the question of order. The Noble 
Grand may himself at any time check a 
member from proceeding out of order, but 
this is a delicate matter, and he ought not to 
exercise that right in every case of a trivial 
deviation from order, but onlv when in the 
exercise of sound judgment a violation of 
the rule demands the exercise of that 
prerogative. 

The Noble Grand before giving his 
opinion may consult other members, but 
not in the shape of a debate. This is an 
excellent rule, because it is always advisable 
to obtain the opinions of others who are 



Digest of the Rules of Order. 51 

supposed to have had experience in such 
delicate matters. 

The Noble Grand's decision stands as the 
judgment of the Lodge unless, after an 
appeal, it should be reversed. 

Decorum. — The Noble Grand must pre- 
serve order and decorum in the Lodge and 
confine members in their remarks to the 
question under consideration, and prevent 
all personal reflections. When two or more 
members rise to speak at the same time he 
shall name the one entitled to the floor. 

Any member who misbehaves in the 
meetings of the Lodge, by disturbing the 
order or harmony thereof, either by person- 
ally abusive or profane language, or dis- 
orderly conduct, or who refuses obedience 
to the Noble Grand, shall first be admonished 
of his offence from the Chair ; if he again 
offend he shall be excluded from the room 
for the evening, and afterwards be dealt 
with as the Constitution prescribes. 

Every member when about to speak 
must rise and respectfully address the Noble 
Grand, confine himself to the question under 



52 Borie's I. 0. 0. F. Manual 

debate, avoid all personalities, and sit down 
when he has finished. 

Smoking has been held to be a violation 
of the decorum of the Lodge, therefore it 
should be strictly prohibited while the session 
continues. This habit, while a pleasure to 
some, is very offensive to others and ought 
to be prohibited, because no practice should 
be tolerated in a Lodge room which by any 
possibility would prove offensive to any 
member present. 

Division of a Vote. — The Noble Grand 
or any member doubting the decision of a 
question may call for a division of the 
Lodge, upon which division those voting 
in the affirmative shall rise and stand 
until counted, after which those voting 
in the negative shall rise and stand until 
counted. The Warden shall count the vote, 
and report the number to the Noble Grand 
as each is ascertained. 

Divisibility of Questions. — A division of 
a question may be called for where it com- 
prehends subjects so distinct that, one being 



Digest of the Rules of Order. 53 

taken away, the rest may stand entire for 
the decision of the Lodge; but a motion to 
strike out and insert cannot be divided, nor 
can a motion to commit with instructions. 
Each of the parts may be again divided as 
they are separately considered. These ques- 
tions shall be decided by the Noble Grand, 
and no appeal lies from his decision. 

Elections shall be conducted in the 
manner prescribed by the Constitution and 
By-laws. 

Explanation. — If a member is called to 
order he may explain, and if his explana- 
tion is satisfactory he should be allowed to 
go on with his remarks, but if not and the 
call of order is repeated, he must take his 
seat until the point is decided. 

Expulsion. — Proceedings for punishment 
by expulsion must be conducted in the 
manner prescribed by the Constitution. 
Great care should be exercised in imposing 
such a penalty, as the proceedings must be 
in strict compliance with the rules so clearly 



54 Borie's I. 0. 0. F. Manual 

laid down in the Constitution, By-laws and 
Pennsylvania Digest. 

Floor : Who Entitled To.— When two or 

more members rise at the same time the 
Noble Grand shall decide which one is 
entitled to the floor, and his decision must 
be submitted to. 

Indefinite Postponement. — This is a priv- 
ileged question, and may be made by a 
member who obtains the floor at any time 
when the question is regularly before the 
Lodge, and, if agreed to, may virtually 
defeat the proposition under consideration, 
for when a question is postponed indefinitely 
it shall not be acted on again during that 
or the next succeeding stated meeting of 
the Lodge. 

Interruption. — No member wmile speaking 
should be interrupted by another except he 
be called to order. When such interruption 
is made the Noble Grand should require 
the member to state his purpose. If it be 
a question of order it must be promptly 



Digest of the Rides of Order. 55 

decided. If a member interrupts another 
because he desires to make an explanation, 
or ask one, or to ask a question, or interject 
an argument in any shape (which he ought 
not to be permitted to do) the member 
having the floor ought to be asked if he will 
yield it. If he does he may lose it altogether. 
An experienced debater does not suffer any 
from an interruption, but one who is in- 
experienced will likely be embarrassed and 
lose the thread of his argument. 

Introduction of Business. — A member 
desiring to introduce a proposition before 
the Lodge should reduce it to writing, unless 
it be very simple. 

Lay on the Table. — A motion to lay on 
the table can be made by a member obtain- 
ing the floor at any time when the original 
proposition is properly before the Lodge, 
and, if seconded, it must be decided without 
debate. If agreed to it removes the propo- 
sition from consideration until the Lodge 
upon motion resolves to take it up again. 
The object of this motion is to defer the 



56 Borie's J. 0. 0. F. Manual 

consideration of the original proposition in 
such manner that it may again be con- 
sidered either at the same or some future 
session of the Lodge, which a motion to 
postpone definitely or indefinitely could not 
accomplish, and it may be resorted to in 
order to effectually suppress a question 
where it would be impossible to secure a 
majority vote to call it up again. 

In many deliberative bodies a motion to 
lay an amendment on the table carries 
with it the entire proposition, but in a 
Lodge a motion to lay an amendment on 
the table, if agreed to, only disposes of the 
amendment and does not affect the original 
question. 

Main Question or Motion.— See Previous 
Question. 

Majority. — When a quorum is present in 
the Lodge the greater number voting for or 
against a proposition constitutes a majority, 
except in such cases as the Constitution or 
By-laws may prescribe a two-thirds vote 
to adopt a measure under consideration. 



Digest of the Rules of Order. 57 

Manual. — The Manual of Practice of the 
House of Representatives of Pennsylvania 
shall govern the Lodges so far as the same 
is applicable, except where it is otherwise 
specially provided by the laws and rules of 
the Order. 

This Manual has been strictly followed in 
the compilation of this work, except where 
it conflicts with the laws and usages of the 
Order. Other standard authorities have 
been consulted for rules governing delibera- 
tive bodies and societies, where said Manual 
was deficient, because it applies more particu- 
larly to law-making or legislative assemblies. 

Meetings. — At the precise time, or hour, 
fixed by the By-laws if a quorum be present 
the Noble Grand, or in the event of his 
absence the Vice Grand, should proceed to 
open the Lodge in the manner prescribed 
by the Ritual. Punctuality in this respect 
on the part of the Noble Grand is highly 
necessary in order that his example may 
influence the members to be punctual in 
their attendance. The By-laws should pre- 
scribe the proper action to be taken in case 



58 Borie's I. 0. 0, F. Manual. 

of the absence of the principal officers or of 
a quorum. 

Minority Reports. — The minority of a 
committee may make out a report showing 
their reasons for not agreeing with the 
majority. Such report, in order to be con- 
sidered, must be moved as a substitute for 
the majority report when the latter is before 
the Lodge. 

Modification of a Report. — After a ques- 
tion has been submitted, on the report of a 
committee, by the Noble Grand, it is in the 
possession of the Lodge for debate ; the 
mover cannot withdraw or modify it, except 
upon leave of the Lodge, or by moving an 
amendment. 

Motions. — No motion shall be subject to 
debate until it shall have been seconded and 
stated from the Chair. It shall be reduced 
to writing at the request of any two mem- 
bers. 

Any member offering a motion, or desir- 
ing to speak on any question, shall rise and 



Digest of the Rules of Order. 59 

address the Noble Grand, and be recognized 
by him ; he shall confine himself to the 
subject under debate, and avoid all personal, 
indecorous or sarcastic language. 

When a question is before the Lodge, no 
motion shall be in order, except, first, for 
the previous question ; second, to lay on the 
table. These two shall be decided without 
debate. Third, to postpone indefinitely; 
fourth, to postpone for a certain time ; fifth, 
to divide ; sixth, to commit ; seventh, to 
amend. All of which motions shall have 
precedence in the above order ; but a motion 
to lay an amendment on the table shall not 
carry with it the proposition it proposes to 
amend. 

A motion for the " previous question/' 
seconded by five members, shall preclude 
further amendment or debate, and the Noble 
Grand shall immediately arise and put the 
question thus : " Shall the main question be 
now put?" If a majority vote in the affirm- 
ative, then the vote on pending amendments 
and the original motion shall immediately 
be taken without amendment or debate. 

No motion for a reconsideration shall be 



60 Borie's I. 0. 0. F. Manual. 

entertained unless made by a member who 
voted on the prevailing side in the first 
instance. The motion to reconsider shall be 
made at the same or the next succeeding 
meeting, and cannot be entertained if longer 
delayed. This rule does not apply to ' a 
ballot for candidates, because four weeks are 
allowed to reconsider a ballot in such a case. 

A motion to close is always in order after 
the regular business has been gone through 
(except when a vote under the previous 
question is pending); if decided in the affirm- 
ative the Lodge must be closed in form. 

The name of a member making a motion 
or offering a resolution shall be entered on 
the Minutes. 

A motion may be withdrawn by the 
mover by leave of the Lodge or the Noble 
Grand, and if withdrawn no note should be 
be made of it on the minutes. 

When a motion is made by a member, 
which is irregular, either as to form or sub- 
stance, or as to the time when it is made, 
the irregularity may be pointed out to the 
mover by the Noble Grand, of his own 
motion, and then the mover may withdraw 



Digest of the Rides of Order. 61 

it, or so modify it as to cure its defects, and 
if another member proposes an amendment 
to the motion the mover may accept it as a 
modification, and thus save the necessity of 
withdrawal and correction. 

A division of a motion, except a motion 
to strike out and insert, may be called for 
when it comprehends subjects so distinct 
that one being taken away the rest may 
stand entire for the decision of the Lodge. 
See Divisibility of Questions. A proposition 
to be divided must not only contain distinct 
points, but each of those points must be 
expressed in distinct words, so as to stand 
entire by itself. 

A motion to close is not in order when 
the previous question is pending before the 
Lodge, nor is any other motion allowable 
until the main question is disposed of, for 
the Lodge in sustaining the previous ques- 
tion . declares that the main question shall 
now be put, and it admits of no delay. 

Before putting the question the Noble 
Grand shall ask : " Is the Lodge ready for 
the question ?" If no member rise to speak, 
he shall rise and put it in the words of the 



62 Borie's L 0. 0. F. Manual. 

motion. After he has risen no member shall 
be permitted to speak upon it. Whilst the 
Noble Grand is addressing the Lodge, or 
putting a question, silence shall be observed 
in the Lodge room. 

Noble Grand.— The office of Noble Grand, 
being the highest and most responsible in 
the Lodge, requires of the member who has 
been honored with the position that he should 
have applied himself studiously and indus- 
triously in endeavoring to acquire a sufficient 
knowledge of the laws, work and usages of 
the Order to enable him to administer, in a 
satisfactory manner, the trust confided to 
him. In addition to the duties prescribed 
by the Constitution, By-laws, Ritual and 
w r ork of the Order, as the presiding officer, 
he may speak on points of order in prefer- 
ence to other members, and he may, upon 
vacating his chair and calling upon a quali- 
fied member to occupy it for the time being, 
debate any other question before the Lodge. 
He should be prepared to decide all questions 
submitted to him, whether of order or other- 
wise, without delay, unless they are so delicate 



Digest of the Rales of Order. 63 

and intricate as to require the advice of 
other members of experience; he casts the 
deciding vote in case of a tie vote. He votes 
in all cases where a ballot is prescribed by 
law. He must submit every question in 
order to the Lodge, but he is justified in de- 
clining to put questions obviously frivolous 
or tending to disorder, and refrain from sub- 
mitting irregular motions, or those made at 
improper times, as well as those which are 
in violation of the Constitution and Laws of 
the Order. He must prevent personal re- 
flections in debate and confine members to 
the question under discussion, and when two 
or more rise at the same time he shall name 
the one entitled to the floor, and prevent debate 
on questions of order, except when an appeal 
has been taken from his decision. He ap- 
points all committees not otherwise provided 
for, and is, ex officio, a member of all com- 
mittees appointed in pursuance of a resolu- 
tion or motion, but has no right to vote as 
such. He should be prompt and punctual 
in attending the sessions of the Lodge, and, 
at the time fixed by the By-laws, if a quo- 
rum is present, proceed to open the Lodge. 



64 Borie's L 0. 0. F. Manual 

He should be courteous to all the members 
and display no feelings of resentment, par- 
tiality, or prejudice, and always remember 
that he is the servant of the Lodge, and as 
such maintain in himself a tranquil temper, 
generous disposition and an unsullied char- 
acter, and thereby command the respect 
and enjoy the confidence of the Lodge. 

Nominations of officers are to be made in 
the manner prescribed by the By-laws of 
the Lodge. 

Numbers. — When a blank is to be filled 
the vote must be taken on the highest num- 
ber first, and if not agreed to, then on the 
second highest number, and so on until a 
certain number receives a majority vote; 
whereupon the blank is filled and no further 
action is required in fixing the number. 

Officers are nominated and elected or ap- 
pointed in the manner prescribed by the laws 
of the Order. 

Order. — The Noble Grand shall preserve 
order and pronounce the decision of th§ 



Digest of the Rules of Order. 65 

Lodge on all subjects. He shall decide 
questions of order without debate, subject to 
an appeal to the Lodge by any three mem- 
bers, on which appeal no member shall speak 
more than once. The question shall be taken 
by the Vice Grand, as follows : " Shall the 
decision of the Chair stand as the judgment 
of the Lodge ?" See Decisions. 

Parliamentary Law. — See Introduction. 

Postponement. — When -a proposition is 
regularly before the Lodge, if in order, it 
may be acted on at once, or, by a motion to 
postpone, its consideration may be deferred 
to a future time, or it may be postponed in- 
definitely. Hence there are three kinds of 
postponement : first a motion to postpone for 
the present ; second, to a future day ; and 
third, indefinitely. 

The effect of a motion to postpone for the 
present, if agreed to, is that it requires a 
motion to take it up again for consideration, 
for it having been postponed, without any 
time being mentioned, the member cannot 
obtrude its consideration upon the Lodge 

5 



66 Borie's I. 0. 0. F. Manual. 

whenever he deems it proper to do so with- 
out its consent. 

A motion to postpone to a day certain has 
the effect of making the question postponed, 
to some extent, a privileged question on that 
day ; that is, it is a privileged question in 
the order of business of which it constitutes 
a part. 

A motion to postpone indefinitely has the 
effect to bring before the Lodge the whole 
merits of the proposition sought to be post- 
poned, because, should the motion prevail, 
the measure thus defeated cannot be again 
considered during the same or the next suc- 
ceeding session of the Lodge. 

If a subject is postponed to a particular 
day the operation of the order is to postpone 
its consideration until the day assigned, so 
that whilst the order remains in force it 
cannot be regularly considered until that 
time. 

Motions for postponement, when before 
the Lodge, may be amended by inserting 
one day in place of another ; but a motion 
to postpone indefinitely does not admit of an 
amendment. 



Digest of the Rules of Order. 67 

Preamble. — When a preamble is annexed 
to a resolution it should be considered and 
acted upon last, which, if defeated, postpones 
the resolution indefinitely, but, if adopted, 
then the preamble and resolution should be 
voted upon as a whole. 

Precedence of Motions. — When a question 
is before the Lodge no motion shall be in 
order, except to close, for the previous ques- 
tion, to lay on the table (these questions shall 
be decided without debate), to postpone in- 
definitely, to postpone for a certain time, to 
divide, to commit, or to amend ; which mo- 
tions shall severally have precedence in the 
order herein designated, but a motion to lay 
an amendment on the table shall not carry 
with it the proposition it proposed to amend. 

Presiding Officer. — See Noble Grand. 

Previous Question. — On the call of five 
members a majority of the Lodge may de- 
mand the previous question, which shall 
always be put in this form : " Shall the 
main question be now put ?" and until it is 



68 Borie's I. 0. 0. F. Manual. 

decided shall preclude all further amend- 
ments and all further debate. 

This motion is resorted to in order to pre- 
vent further consumption of time in debating 
propositions, and to preclude further amend- 
ments, and in this respect it is often of great 
value in enabling the majority to peremp- 
torily bring long, tedious and profitless dis- 
cussion to an end, and to prevent amendments 
tending to destroy or impair the effect of the 
original proposition. Sometimes it is arbi- 
trarily employed to prevent a free, fair and 
thorough consideration of the pending pro- 
position, because such debates might ulti- 
mately change the opinions of some of those 
composing the majority. In such a case it 
should always be discouraged. It may be 
resorted to in order to close the debate upon 
amendments as well as all other debatable 
questions relating to the original proposition. 
The effect of an affirmative vote on the pre- 
vious question is to bring the Lodge to a 
direct vote on all the amendments in their 
order, and finally on the original proposition 
as amended, if any amendments have been 
offered. 



Digest of the Rules of Order. 69 

The effect of a negative decision of the 
previous question is to reopen the original 
motion for discussion and amendment. 

Private Discourse. — While the Noble 
Grand is speaking, or putting a question, or 
any other member is addressing the Lodge, 
no member shall walk out of or cross the room, 
without leave, nor shall any private discourse 
be allowed. To preserve order and decorum 
in the Lodge is one of the most important, 
as well as one of the most unpleasant duties 
the Noble Grand has to perform, for nothing 
else is more calculated to give offence than 
for the Noble Grand to be compelled, in 
order to enforce the rules, to call members 
to order by their names. Still it is a duty 
to be performed, and if members have no 
regard for the position of the Noble Grand, 
and the absolute necessity for silence when 
he is- addressing the Lodge, or submitting a 
question, or when a member is speaking, it 
is but right to mantle their cheeks with 
shame by calling them to order by name. 
So long as a rule is in existence it should be 
enforced. 



70 Borie's L 0. 0. F. Manual. 

A Noble Grand to enforce this rule should 
commence when he first enters upon his 
duties as such, and let it be understood that 
he will not permit its violation. The true 
policy is for the Noble Grand to uphold the 
dignity of his office, conduct himself with 
propriety, and require the members to do 
likewise. 

Privileged Questions are such as, on ac- 
count of their importance, take precedence 
over all other questions whatever. In the 
Order the rule seems to have been extended 
so as to include other questions in addition 
to those laid down in the various authorities. 
In a Lodge the rule relating to privileged 
questions is as follows : 

" When a question is before the Lodge no 
motion shall be in order, except, first, for 
the previous question ; second, to lay on the 
table. These two shall be decided without 
debate. Third, to postpone indefinitely ; 
fourth, to postpone for a certain time ; fifth, 
to divide ; sixth, to commit ; seventh, to 
amend. All of which motions shall have 
precedence in the above order ; but a motion 



Digest of the Rules of Order. 71 

to lay an amendment on the table shall not 
carry with it the proposition it proposed to 
amend." 

The general rule in regard to business 
regularly before the Lodge is that it must be 
disposed of either for the time or perma- 
nently, and that until such disposition of it 
is made no other motion or question can be 
regularly made or arise so as to take its 
place, and be first acted upon, except the 
motions designated in the above rule. 

Proceedings in Committees. — A commit- 
tee cannot report any final action unless a 
majority agrees to the report, and where the 
committee is not unanimous the minority 
may prepare a report showing reasons for 
dissenting from the majority. A minority 
report, however, to be considered in the 
Lodge must be moved as a substitute for the 
report of the majority when the latter is 
before the Lodge. The first named on a 
committee acts as its chairman unless an- 
other is chosen when the committee organizes. 

Any member may excuse himself from 
serving on a committee if, at the time of his 



72 Borie's L 0. 0. F. Manual. 

appointment, he is a member of two other 
committees. 

No committee can be discharged until all 
the debts contracted by it are paid. 

Questions. — See Motions, Privileged and 
Previous Questions. 

Questions of Order are decided by the 
Noble Grand, subject to an appeal, without 
debate. 

Quorum consists of such number as the 
By-laws prescribe in a Lodge, not less than 
five. In a committee a majority of the 
members constitute a quorum. No business 
can be transacted by a lesser number except, 
in a Lodge, to close, and in a committee, to 
adjourn. 

Reading of Reports and other communi- 
cations may be ordered by the Noble Grand, 
but if objected to a vote must be had. 

Re-Commit. — See Commitment 

Reconsider. — No motion for a reconsider- 
ation shall be entertained unless made by a 



Digest of the Rules of Order. 73 

member who voted on the prevailing side in 
the first instance. The motion to reconsider 
shall be made at the same or the next suc- 
ceeding meeting, and cannot be entertained 
if longer delayed, except in case of a ballot 
for a candidate who was rejected, when the 
motion to reconsider may be made any time 
within four weeks. Any question except a 
motion to close, or to lay on the table, may 
be reconsidered, and the motion may be made 
only by a member who voted on the prevail- 
ing side ; that is, if the original motion was 
adopted, by one who voted in the affirmative, 
and, if lost, by one who voted in the negative. 
When a motion has been negatived by rea- 
son of a tie vote the motion to reconsider 
must be made by one who voted in the nega- 
tive, and where a two-thirds vote is required, 
and it has been defeated by the minority, 
the reconsideration must be moved by one 
who voted with the minority. 

When a motion to reconsider has been 
adopted that motion cannot be reconsidered, 
because no question can be twice reconsidered. 
The rule in all parliamentary bodies is to this 
effect when it is intended to finally defeat a 



74 Borie's I. 0. 0. F. Manual 

proposition which has been voted down : to 
move a reconsideration by one voting in the 
negative, and, when that question is regularly 
before the body, to move that the motion 
to reconsider be laid on the table, which 
motion, if it prevails, effectively kills the 
original proposition. 

The effect of a motion to reconsider, which 
must be agreed to by the same vote that 
would have been required to adopt it origi- 
nally, is to restore it to the same position 
it occupied when previously before the 
Lodge. 

A motion to reconsider is debatable ex- 
cept in such cases where it was formerly 
disposed of by an undebatable motion. 

Refer. — See Commitment. 

Renewal of a Motion. — An original ques- 
tion or an amendment having been once 
acted upon cannot be taken up again except 
on a motion to reconsider. This does not 
apply to a motion to close, because it can be 
again made if there has been further debate 
or any other business transacted. 



Digest of the Rides of Order. 75 

Repeal. — Whenever a motion or resolu- 
tion has been adopted which proves to be 
in contravention with the laws, usages and 
regulations of the Order, it may, upon mo- 
tion, be repealed. So also may any other 
motion which has been rendered inoperative 
and void by prior or subsequent action of 
the Lodge, or which may be deemed un- 
necessary. 

Reports. — See Committees. 

Rescind. — This motion has the same effect 
as a motion to repeal, and is employed to 
annul hasty and ill-advised action by a 
Lodge. The authorities agree in cautioning 
societies to conduct their business in such a 
manner as to render the use of this motion 
of rare occurrence. 

Rules of Order prescribed for the gov- 
ernment of Lodges, and annexed to the 
printed Constitutions supplied by the Grand 
Lodge, should be carefully studied by every 
member and especially by the Noble Grand, 
as familiarity with them will enable that 



76 Borie's L 0. 0. F. Manual 

officer to conduct the business of the Lodge 
in an intelligent manner. The authorities 
contained in this work are iu tended to assist 
in interpreting those rules when any ques- 
tions arise as to their force and effect. 

Every member will readily admit the im- 
portance and necessity of rules for the gov- 
ernment of the Lodge, for without them it 
would be impossible to transact the business. 
It has been said that " It is much more 
material that there should be a rule to go 
by than what that rule is, that there may be 
uniformity of business not subject to the 
caprice of the speaker or the captiousness of 
the members. Besides, it is very material that 
order, decency and regularity be preserved 
in a dignified body." 

While in many deliberative bodies the 
rules may be suspended, the Rules of Order 
or Business laid down in the Ritual cannot 
be dispensed with in a Lodge. See also 
Debates and Motions. 

Seconding Motions. — Every motion must 
be seconded before it can be considered by 
the Lodge. The Noble Grand may, if he 



Digest of the Rules of Order. 77 

desires, silently second any motion regularly 
made in order. 

Sessions of a Lodge cannot extend after 
12 o'clock midnight; and where Lodges in 
their By-laws prescribe certain hours as the 
limit for the consideration of particular 
business it cannot be acted upon or debated 
after the hour named. 

Smoking in the Lodge has been decided 
to be a breach of decorum and should be 
strictly prohibited. 

Speaking. — No member when speaking 
should be interrupted, except by a call to 
order by the Noble Grand, or by a member 
through that officer, or by a member to ex- 
plain ; nor should any member be referred 
to by name, in debate, unless for a trans- 
gression of the rules of the Lodge, and then 
by the Noble Grand only. 

This rule points out specifically when a 
member may be interrupted while addressing 
the Lodge. It has been supposed that a 
member can be interrupted by a motion to 



78 Borie's L 0. 0. F. Manual 

adjourn, because there is a rule which says a 
motion to close is always in order after the 
regular business. This, however, cannot be 
done, because the mover of a motion to close 
must first obtain the floor, which cannot be 
obtained unless the member occupying the 
floor surrenders it for that purpose upon 
request. 

No member shall speak more than once 
on the same subject or motion, until all who 
desire it shall have had an opportunity of 
being heard, nor more than twice, without 
permission from the chair. While speaking, 
each member shall designate the person 
spoken of by his proper rank or title. 

No member shall be interrupted while 
speaking, except it be to call him to order, 
when he shall take his seat until the question 
of order is determined, when, if permitted, 
he may proceed with his remarks. 

If two or more members rise to speak at 
the same time the Noble Grand shall decide 
who is entitled to the floor. See Debate, 

Special Order. — When any motion has 
been postponed to a subsequent session of the 



Digest of the Rides of Order. 79 

Lodge it is entitled to precedence when the 
order of Unfinished Business is reached, and 
may be called up by any member, but it 
may be afterwards postponed by a vote. 

Stating a Question. — In so doing the 
Noble Grand should arise in his place and 
state that it has been moved and seconded 
that, (here state the question,) or, " you have 
heard the resolution read ; as many as are in 
favor will give the ******_****; 
those opposed the same * * * *." 

When a vote is taken the Noble Grand 

should announce the same as follows : The 

motion is agreed to, or it is not agreed to. 

Prior to the Noble Grand making such an 

announcement any member may call for a 

division, whereupon the Noble Grand shall 

take the vote over again, and request those 

voting in the affirmative to arise and give 
tne *****.*_*** *^ an( j a f ter coun t- 

ing them request those voting in the negative 
to arise and give the same * * * *. 

Strike Out. — It is always in order w T hen 
a question is before the Lodge to move to 



80 Borie's I. 0. 0. F. Manual 

strike out of it any words which the mover 
deems advisable, and insert other words, 
provided they relate to the subject-matter 
under consideration. These motions, how- 
ever, are in the nature of amendments. 
See Amendment 

Substitute. — Any other form of a motion 
or other resolutions may be moved as a 
substitute for such as may be under con- 
sideration, provided the same subject-matter 
is contained in the proposed substitute. 
If it is intended to change the whole of the 
original motion or resolutions, the proper 
way to make the motion is to move to strike 
out all after the word motion, or resolved, 
and insert. See Amendment. 

Sum. — When a blank is to be filled the 
question should be taken first on the largest 
sum mentioned. See Blanks. 

Table. — Motions to lay on the table or to 
take therefrom must be decided without 
debate and without amendment. 



Digest of the Rules of Order. #1 

Trial of Members must be conducted 
strictly in accordance with the laws of the 
Order as laid down in the Constitution and 
By-laws of Lodges and in the Pennsylvania 
Digest. 

Every Lodge has the right to purify its 
own body by inflicting the penalty of expul- 
sion or suspension upon such members as 
violate the laws prescribing such punish- 
ment, and it can require any member to 
testify in a case to be tried. 

Undebatable Questions are: 

The Previous or Main Question, 
To Close the Lodge, 
Reading of Papers when Objected to, 
Questions of Order until appeal made, 
Withdrawal of Motions, 
Changing the Order of Business, 
To Lay on the Table, 
To Take from the Table, 
To Limit Debate, 

Leave to Resume Debate by a member who 
was interrupted by a question of order, 
To Reconsider an Undebatable Question. 



82 Borie's I. 0. 0. F. Manual 

Unfinished Business is an order of busi- 
ness prescribed by the Ritual. When unfin- 
ished business is taken up, consideration of 
the question must be resumed at the point 
reached when it was laid over. 

Vice Grand, in addition to the duties 
prescribed by the Ritual, will in the absence 
of the Noble Grand be required to per- 
form all the duties of that officer. See 
Noble Grand. 

Voting. — On application by card, three 
black balls reject. 

On application for reinstatement a ma- 
jority of black balls reject. 

On application for initiation two black 
balls reject, and after a ballot has been re- 
considered one black ball rejects. 

If only one ballot is cast for an applicant 
for initiation, and that should be a black 
ball the candidate is rejected. 

On application by a Dismissal Certificate 
three black balls reject. 

To restore an expelled member requires a 
two-thirds vote. 



Digest of the Rides of Order. 83 

In a report of a committee on charges a 
majority sustains the report as to the guilt 
or innocence of the accused. If found 
guilty, to suspend requires a majority vote. 
To expel requires two-thirds of the members 
voting. 

For any of the three degrees, three black 
balls reject those initiated prior to July 1, 
1882. 

For Past Official Degrees no vote is re- 
quired. 

For Officers a majority vote is required 
to elect. 

For Withdrawal Card a majority vote by 
ballot. 

For Dismissal Certificate no vote is re- 
quired. 

BALL BALLOTING. 

The vote by ball ballot must be taken in 
the following cases : 

I. Upon the report of a committee on a 
candidate for initiation. 

II. Upon report of a committee on ap- 
plication for membership on Card. 



84 Borie's I 0. 0. F. Manual 

III. Upon the report of a committee on 
application to restore a member suspended 
for non-payment of dues. 

IV. Upon the report of a committee to 
receive a member upon a Dismissal Certifi- 
cate. 

V. Upon the report of a committee on 
application to restore an expelled member. 

VI. Upon the report of a committee on 
charges as to the guilt or innocence of the 
accused. 

VII. To determine the punishment to be 
inflicted upon a member found guilty as 
charged. 

VIII. Upon an application for the three 
degrees for those initiated prior to July 1, 
1882. 

IX. Upon granting a Withdrawal Card. 

VOTING SIGN. 

The vote in a Lodge shall be taken by 
the voting sign in all the ordinary business 
transactions of the Lodge. 



Digest of the Rules of Order. 85 

VOTING BY TICKETS. 

The vote shall be taken by tickets — 

I. For Grand Lodge officers. 

II. For District Deputy Grand Master. 

III. For Representative to the Grand 
Lodge. 

IV. For Elective Officers of Lodges and 
Trustees. 

In voting upon questions before the 
Lodge the Noble Grand may require every 
member present and in good standing to 
vote, unless excused by the Lodge, but 
where no such requirement is made by the 
Noble Grand or the Lodge, no notice can 
be taken of those not voting. Those not 
voting tacitly agree with the majority, and 
when no votes are given in opposition to a 
question it is unanimously agreed to within 
the meaning of the law which requires a 
unanimous vote. 

VOTING IN REBEKAH LODGES. 

The voting shall be by ballot upon ap- 
plication for membership, and a majority 
vote elects. 



86 Borie's L 0. 0. F. Manual 

The voting for officers shall be by 
tickets. 

All other questions by viva voce — yea and 
nay vote. 

Voters. — All present should vote when a 
ballot is had. The same rule generally 
applies to all other questions. Those who 
neglect to vote have no right to complain 
when a question before the Lodge is de- 
cided, because they are regarded as having 
voted with the majority. See Vote. 

Withdrawal of a Motion. — A motion 
regularly made and stated by the Noble 
Grand cannot be withdrawn by the mover 
without the consent of the Lodge or the 
Noble Grand. When such a request is 
made the Noble Grand shall state that if 
there are no objections the motion may be 
withdrawn, but if an objection is made a 
vote must be taken. 

Yeas and Nays. — On the call of one- 
third of the members present the names of 
brothers voting in the affirmative and in 
the negative shall be recorded in the 
minutes. 



INDEX. 



PAGE 

Absence 16 

when it forfeits honors 37 

leave of and excuse for 37 

Add to and strike out 36 

Adjourn, a lodge cannot. (See Close.) 

Amendment 38 

to an amendment 40 

to By-laws 38 

Announcement of Vote 18 

Appeal from Noble Grand 40, 65 

from Vice Grand 41 

Ball Ballot 40, 82, 83 

for candidates 22, 82, 83 

reconsideration of. 25 

Rebekah Lodges 85 

Blanks, filling up of. 43, 04, 80 

Business, method of conducting 15 

order of 16, 43 

special order of 78 

Calling the Roll 16 

Candidate, no discussion of character 22 

Classification of Questions 27 

Closing a Lodge 19, 26, 37, 44 

Commit, motion to... 11 



88 Index. 

PAGE 

Committees, appointment of. 44 

minority report of... 58 

modification of report 58 

proceedings in 71 

Communications 46 

Debate 47, 48 

Decisions 49 

Decorum 51 

Dicest of rules and decisions 37 

Dilatory Motions 30 

Division, of questions 36, 52 

of vote may be called „ 18, 52 

Elections, how conducted 20, 53 

Explanation 53 

Expulsion 53 

Floor, who entitled to 47,54 

Indefinite Postponement 35, 54 

Insert, motion to 39 

Introduction 7 

of business 55 

Lay on the Table, motion to 34, 55, 80 

Lodge, sessions of. 77 

Main Question. (See Previous Question.) 

Majority 56 

Member, interruption of , 54 

Meetings, time of. 57 

Minority Report 58 



Index, 89 



PAGE 

Minutes, correction of 17 

reading of. „ 16 

Misbehavior of a member 51 

Modification of a report 58 

Motion, stating of. 17, 58 

to amend 38 

to close 44 

to commit 44 

to divide : 36 

to lay on the table 34 

to postpone 36 

to postpone indefinitely 35 

to postpone to a day certain 36 

precedence of. 67 

reconsideration of. 72 

renewal of. 74 

repeal of. 75 

rescinding of 75 

seconding of. 76 

to strike out and insert 79 

withdrawal of. 86 

Noble Grand, duty of 62 

must arise when 17 

Nomination of Officers 64 

Numbers in Blank, filling of. 64 

Objection to a member speaking 49 

Officers, nomination and election of, 64 

Opening a Lodge 15 

Order, points of. 40 

of business 16, 43 

of business may be changed 43 

questions of 72 



90 Index. 



PAGE 

Parliamentary Laws 8 

Peremptory Questions 28 

Personalities prohibited 47 

Postponement 36, 65 

to a day certain 36, 6Q 

indefinitely 35, 66 

Preamble 67 

Precedence of Motions 67 

Previous Question 19, 33, 67, 70 

Private Discourse 69 

Privileged Questions.: 33 

Proceedings in Committees 71 

Questions of Order 72 

Quorum 15, 72 

Reading, the minutes 16 

of reports 72 

Re-Ballot 25 

Reconsideration 72 

Renewal of Motions 74 

Repeal , 75 

Rescind 75 

Roll, calling of, 16 

Rules of Order 75 

Seconding Motions 76 

Smoking prohibited 52, 77 



Index. 91 

PAGE 

Speaking 47, 48, 77 

objection to 49, 54 

Special Order 78 

Stating a Question 79 

Strike out and insert 79 

Sum 80 

Substitute , 80 

Table. (See Lay on the T.ible.) 

Transposing a Motion 39 

Trial upon charges preferred 81 

Undebatable Questions 49, 81 

Unfinished Business 82 

Vice Grand 82 

Voters 86 

Voting 82 

sign „ 84 

by tickets 85 

in Rebekah Lodges 85 

Withdrawal of Motions 86 

Yeas and Nays 18, 86 



